Daily Readings - Mon Dec 04 2017
First Reading - Isaiah 2.1-5
Isaiah
1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Gospel - Matthew 8.5-11, 13
Matthew
5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.11And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.13And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the universal call to faith and the ultimate vision of peace and unity that God desires for humanity. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear a prophetic vision of a future where all nations will stream to the mountain of the Lord, seeking his ways and walking in his paths. This vision is one of harmony and peace, where weapons of war are transformed into tools for cultivation, and conflict gives way to cooperation. Isaiah’s words, spoken in a time of turmoil and division, remind us that God’s plan for the world is one of unity and reconciliation.
In the Gospel, we encounter a centurion whose faith astonishes Jesus. This Roman officer, a representative of an occupying power, humbly recognizes Jesus’ authority and trusts in his power to heal his servant. The centurion’s words, “I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,” reveal a deep humility and understanding of his place before God. Jesus’ response highlights the universality of God’s mercy, as he declares that many from the east and the west will sit at table with the patriarchs in the kingdom of heaven. This exchange underscores that faith is not limited to a particular people or place but is open to all who trust in God’s Word.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and our openness to God’s universal plan. Like the centurion, we are called to humility and trust, recognizing that God’s grace is not confined to our own circle but extends to all people. Isaiah’s vision reminds us that our ultimate goal is a world where division gives way to unity and where all people can walk in the light of the Lord. Let us strive to live out this vision in our daily lives, embracing the diversity of God’s creation and trusting in his providence. May our faith, like the centurion’s, be a source of hope and healing, not only for ourselves but for the world around us.